THE SLAUGHTERMEN

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 1736, 22 January 1913, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN

HOW THE CESSATION AFFECTS WAIRAHAPA. I'OSITI ON AT WAIN GAW A - WORKS. Probably as a result of the upsettin<r ol' the stock market by the cessation of operations at the Wellington freezing works, the stock saleft in Master ton yesterday were poorly patronised, and the market was lifol&ss. Those farmers who came to town were narticularly anxious conjceining the prospects of a settlement, and of the AYaingawa works continuing open. Tfc may be stated {hat the works at Waingawa arc at present- very busy, notwithstanding that the slaughtermen have given no'ice to cease work at the end of the month. A rumour was in circulation in "Wollington and Masterton yesterday that the directors of the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company had decided to concede the 30s per hundred asked by tire men. Inquiry proved, however, that this information was premature. No notification to rhis effect, at anyrate. had reached the men.

It is improbable that, any move will be made until after Friday next. when the ultimatum -to the company will have expired.

Assuming that satisfactory arrangements could be made -between the company and the men at the Waingawa works, there would be still many thousands of sheep in this district that could not be slaughtered unless the Wellington works were to be re-opened. Numerous buyers and drovers are at present walking the streets of Mastertonwai ting, Micatvber-life. for "things to turn up." | The rape crops in many parts of ( the Wairnrapa have been a failure, owing to the drought, and' the number of fats, under normal conditions, would probably not be as great as in former years. Rtill. there are several hundred thousand lambs and wethers that would be get away if the worlds could receivo tliem. Unless a good rain comes shortly, it is expected that there will be a considerable fall in the price of slieep. Tf the Waingawa works are closed, the loss in wages alone will be very considerable, as about 150 men will "be thrown ou,t of employment. So far a« could be. ascertained yesterday, there is no prospect of the local men accepting 27s (id per hundred.

Mr Bishop, the secretary of t.bo Slaughtermen's Union, proceeded to Wellington ye.steixlay. SHEEP-OWiNERS' UNION. ASKS FOR ARBITRATION. (By. Telegraph.—uuss Association.) OHRISTOTT UR*CH, Last Night. At a meeting of the Sheep-owners' Union to-night, it was decided to write to the chairman of the Freezing Companies n.n c ] the secretary of the Union, aslclntr that the matters in dispute* be referred to tho Conciliation Council, or tho Arbitration Court, both sides to abide by the dcf.ision t which is to be made retrospective.